The Lismore Portrait

Sir Walter Raleigh (1554-1680)

In 2016, (together with my friend, author and illustrator Niamh Sharkey) I curated a small exhibition of illustrations for the 'Towers & Tales' Children's Book Festival at Lismore Castle, Co. Waterford, Ireland. The theme of the show focused on historical characters that had an association with the great castle at some moment in time.

I chose to paint Sir Walter Raleigh, writer, poet, soldier, politician, courtier, spy, and explorer! The painting was made with acrylics and mounted in an original antique gilt frame.

The style of my illustration was influenced by the Fayum portraits as well as traditional religious icon paintings.